Proverbs 28 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

Pro 28:1The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Pro 28:2When a land transgresses, it has many rulers,
but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
its stability will long continue.

Pro 28:3

Pro 28:3A poor man who oppresses the poor
is a beating rain that leaves no food.

Pro 28:4

Pro 28:4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law strive against them.

Pro 28:5

Pro 28:5Evil men do not understand justice,
but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.

Pro 28:6

Pro 28:6Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.

Pro 28:7

Pro 28:7The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

Pro 28:8

Pro 28:8Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit[fn]
gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.

Pro 28:9

Pro 28:9If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his prayer is an abomination.

Pro 28:10

Pro 28:10Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
will fall into his own pit,
but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

Pro 28:11

Pro 28:11A rich man is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.

Pro 28:12

Pro 28:12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.

Pro 28:13

Pro 28:13Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Pro 28:14

Pro 28:14Blessed is the one who fears the LORD[fn] always,
but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

Pro 28:15

Pro 28:15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

Pro 28:16

Pro 28:16A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

Pro 28:17

Pro 28:17If one is burdened with the blood of another,
he will be a fugitive until death;[fn]
let no one help him.

Pro 28:18

Pro 28:18Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered,
but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.

Pro 28:19

Pro 28:19Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

Pro 28:20

Pro 28:20A faithful man will abound with blessings,
but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

Pro 28:21

Pro 28:21To show partiality is not good,
but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

Pro 28:22

Pro 28:22A stingy man[fn] hastens after wealth
and does not know that poverty will come upon him.

Pro 28:23

Pro 28:23Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
than he who flatters with his tongue.

Pro 28:24

Pro 28:24Whoever robs his father or his mother
and says, “That is no transgression,”
is a companion to a man who destroys.

Pro 28:25

Pro 28:25A greedy man stirs up strife,
but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.

Pro 28:26

Pro 28:26Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Pro 28:27

Pro 28:27Whoever gives to the poor will not want,
but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

Pro 28:28

Pro 28:28When the wicked rise, people hide themselves,
but when they perish, the righteous increase.

See the ESV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

ESV Footnotes

(28:8)

That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor

(28:14)

Hebrew lacks the LORD

(28:17)

Hebrew until the pit

(28:22)

Hebrew A man whose eye is evil

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For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.